Tissue anchor and delivery tool

Abstract

A torque-delivering cable is provided, which includes a first coupling. The torque-delivering cable and the first coupling are shaped so as to collectively define a first passage therethrough. A tissue anchor is further provided, which includes a tissue-engaging element and a second coupling, which second coupling is shaped so as to define a second passage therethrough. The first and the second couplings are interlockingly coupleable to each other. An elongate longitudinal locking element is additionally provided, which is shaped so as to define a sharp tip, and which (a) when reversibly disposed in the first and the second passages, maintains coupling together of the first and the second couplings, and (b) when withdrawn from the second passage, allows decoupling of the first and the second coupling from each another.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus comprising:
 a torque-delivering cable, which comprises a first coupling, wherein the torque-delivering cable and the first coupling are shaped so as to collectively define a first passage therethrough; 
 a tissue anchor, which comprises a tissue-engaging element and a second coupling, which second coupling is shaped so as to define a second passage therethrough open to a space surrounded by the tissue-engaging element, wherein the first and the second couplings are interlockingly coupleable to each other; and 
 an elongate longitudinal locking element, which is configured to be advanceable into the space surrounded by the tissue-engaging element, and which:
 when reversibly disposed in the first and the second passages, maintains coupling together of the first and the second couplings, and 
 when withdrawn from the second passage, allows decoupling of the first and the second couplings from each another, 
 
 wherein the torque-delivering cable is configured such that rotation thereof, when the first and the second couplings are coupled together, rotates the first and the second couplings, and thereby the tissue anchor. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate longitudinal locking element comprises a rod. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the tissue-engaging element is helical. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible longitudinal member, which is fixed to the tissue anchor. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate longitudinal locking element is shaped so as to define a sharp tip. 
     
     
       6. A method comprising:
 advancing a tissue anchor toward an implantation site using a torque-delivering cable, which comprises a first coupling, wherein (a) the torque-delivering cable and the first coupling are shaped so as to collectively define a first passage therethrough, (b) the tissue anchor comprises a tissue-engaging element and a second coupling, which second coupling is shaped so as to define a second passage therethrough open to a space surrounded by the tissue-engaging element, and (c) the first and the second couplings are interlockingly coupled to each other by an elongate longitudinal locking element, which is (i) reversibly disposed in the first and the second passages so as to maintain coupling together of the first and the second couplings and (ii) advanced into the space surrounded by the tissue-engaging element; 
 implanting the tissue-engaging element in tissue at the implantation site by screwing the tissue-engaging element into the tissue by rotating the torque-delivering cable, when the first and the second couplings are coupled together, thereby rotating the first and the second couplings and thus rotating the tissue anchor; 
 thereafter, withdrawing the elongate longitudinal locking element from the second passage to facilitate decoupling of the first and the second couplings from each another; 
 thereafter, decoupling the first and the second couplings from each other; and 
 thereafter, withdrawing the torque-delivering tool. 
 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the elongate longitudinal locking element comprises a rod. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the tissue-engaging element is helical. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising applying tension to the tissue anchor using a flexible longitudinal member that is fixed to the tissue anchor. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein implanting the tissue-engaging element in the issue comprises advancing the sharp tip of the elongate longitudinal locking member to the tissue such that the sharp tip punctures the tissue, and thereafter screwing the tissue-engaging element into the tissue. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the elongate longitudinal locking element is shaped so as to define a sharp tip.